Sat Dec 2 13:55:58 EST 2006
Several readers corrected me for writing that Turgot was called "The French
Confucius". I should have said Quesnay, and European.
In reply I cited a source, Sir Kenneth Jupp's translation of Turgot, p.
xiii, recorded in my notes on a book I had lost. I was so proud that I had a
record of the source! I allowed that maybe Jupp had erred, and even (Heaven
forfend!) that my notes erred. I hinted cutely that others might have erred,
and they were being captious.
Now I have found a copy of Jupp. As Cassius might have put it, "The fault,
dear tutors, is not in my source, but in myself that I am blundering". Jupp
is blameless, and so are my tutors.
For penance I am issuing this public retraction. Forgive me, brothers, for I
have gaffed, and thank you for improving my mind.
Mason Gaffney